Breast MRI

Our highly trained registered MRI Technologists will perform your breast MRI. Following the scan, our NB board-certified radiologists will analyze your MRI images and prepare a detailed report.

A written diagnostic report will be sent to your referring physician and treating clinicians for consultation and review. Your physician will discuss diagnostic and pathologic assessment findings and the next steps with you.

The procedure begins with a requisition from your physician or treating clinicians.

How should I prepare for the procedure?

There is very little preparation required for a Breast MRI. The timing of the study should be closely linked to the menstrual cycle for women who are premenopausal. The best time to perform a Breast MRI is between days 6 and 14 of your menstrual cycle (day one is the day that your period arrives). For patients who are postmenopausal, or those with a new diagnosis of breast cancer, the examination can be performed at any time. For those who are perimenopausal, it is optimal to wait for the next cycle to start, and schedule between days 6 and 14. If the menses occur only rarely, then the examination can be scheduled at any time with the understanding that residual hormonal activity can render the examination difficult to interpret.

The MRI Technologist will explain the procedure to you and offer the opportunity to ask any questions that you might have about the procedure.

If your procedure involves the use of contrast, you will be asked to sign a consent form that gives permission to do the procedure. Read the form carefully and ask questions if something is not clear.

What happens during the procedure?

Generally, a breast MRI follows this process:

• You will be asked to remove any clothing, jewelry, eyeglasses, hearing aids, hairpins, removable dental work, or other objects that may interfere with the procedure.
• You will be given a hospital gown to wear.
• If you are to have a procedure done with contrast, an intravenous (IV) line will be started in the hand or arm for injection of the contrast.
• You will be positioned, face down on a mobile bed, with your breasts positioned through cushioned openings. The bed will then be moved into the magnet of the MRI machine. Pillows or straps may be used to prevent movement during the procedure.
• The MRI technologist will be in a separate room inside the larger MRI room where the scanner controls are located. Speakers inside the scanner will enable the technologist to communicate with and hear you. You will have a call button so that you can let the technologist know if you have any problems during the procedure. The MRI technologist will be watching you at all times and will be in constant communication.
• You will be given earplugs or a headset to wear to help block out the noise from the scanner. Some headsets may provide music for you to listen to.
• During the scanning process, a loud clicking noise will sound as the magnetic field is created and pulses of radio waves are sent from the scanner.
• It will be important for you to remain very still during the examination, as any movement could cause distortion and affect the quality of the scan.
• At intervals, you may be instructed to hold your breath for a few seconds, depending on the views of the breasts being examined.
• If contrast is used for your procedure, you may feel some effects when the dye is injected into the IV line. These effects include a flushing sensation or a feeling of coldness, a salty or metallic taste in the mouth, a brief headache, itching, or nausea and/or vomiting. These effects usually only last for a few moments.
• Your breasts may feel slightly warm, but this is normal.
• You should notify the technologist if you have any breathing difficulties, sweating, numbness, or heart palpitations.
• Once the scan has been completed, the table will slide out of the scanner and you will be assisted off the table.
• If an IV was inserted for contrast administration, it will be removed.

While the MRI procedure itself causes no pain, having to lie still for the length of the procedure might cause some discomfort or pain, particularly in the case of a recent injury or invasive procedure such as surgery. The technologist will use all possible comfort measures and complete the procedure as quickly as possible to minimize any discomfort or pain.

What should I expect after the procedure?

You should move slowly when getting up from the scanner table to avoid any dizziness or light-headedness from lying prone for the length of the procedure.

If any sedatives were taken for the procedure, you may be required to rest until the sedatives have worn off. You will also need to avoid driving.

If contrast was used during your procedure, you may be monitored for a period of time for any side effects or reactions to the contrast, such as itching, swelling, rash, or difficulty breathing.

If you notice any pain, redness, and/or swelling at the IV site after you return home following your procedure, you should notify your health care provider, as this could indicate an infection or other type of reaction.

Nursing mothers may choose not to breastfeed for 12 to 24 hours after a breast MRI with contrast.

Generally, there is no special type of care required after a MRI scan of the breasts. You may resume your usual diet and activities, unless your health care provider advises you differently.

A radiologist will analyze the images and provide a report to your health care provider within 10 business days.

Your health care provider may give you additional or alternate instructions after the procedure, depending on your particular situation.